Experience Level: Advanced Beginner – Intermediate

The Check Mate hat is a classic cap made with a two-color mosaic chevron pattern. Deceptively simple, mosaic knitting is two-color knitting worked only one color at a time. Slipped stitches create the fascinating patterns you see here! Since the colorwork is done with slipped stitches, the hat is more dense and cozy than your average worsted weight hat. It’s the perfect topper for cool days and chilly nights… and even more perfect for using up stash!!

Construction Details
Hat is worked from the brim to the crown. Brim is worked in k1p1 ribbing and the main section of the hat is worked in mosaic knitting. Decreases are worked on DPN at the crown of the hat. You can follow the pattern in either a chart or words.

Techniques Necessary

• Cast on
• Joining in the round
• Knit
• Purl
• Slipped stitches
• Decreasing (ssk, k2tog, sk2po)
• Using DPN

Size options: One size – adult Medium

Finished Measurements: 18” circumference and approximately 9” depth when laid flat

Yarn: worsted weight yarn (CYCA #4) 130 yards in main color and 85 yards in contrast color.

Samples made with Malabrigo Rios (100% superwash merino wool, 210 yds / 100 g) in 872 Purpuras and 131 Sand Bank.

Berroco Ultra Alpaca (50% alpaca 50% wool, 215 yds / 100 g) in 62111 Zephyr and Berroco Sesame (43% wool 39% acrylic 9% cotton 9% nylon, 230 yds / 100 g) in 7407 Soba.

Gauge: 21.5 sts and 40 rounds = 4” in pattern stitch on larger needle.

Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed for gauge 16” circular needle, US 5 (3.75 mm) or two sizes smaller than size needed for gauge 16” circular needle, US 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed for gauge DPN’s. Adjust needle size as necessary to obtain correct gauge

Additional materials: one distinctively colored stitch marker for the beginning of the round, 6 additional stitch markers to mark pattern stitch, tapestry needle.